Open Your Heart Celebrates 10 Years and Raises More than $100,000

Date posted: February 16, 2018

On Tuesday, February 6th, more than 250 guests attended the 10th Anniversary Open Your Heart, presented by SPA, Inc., at Eddie Merlot’s fine restaurant in Montgomery. The elegant Valentine-inspired evening was chaired by Patti Zesch and netted more than $100,000 to support Stepping Stones’ programs for children and adults with disabilities.

The evening also honored Open Your Heart’s founder Mary McGraw for inspiring supporters across Greater Cincinnati to open their hearts to Stepping Stones over the past decade. In 10 years, Open Your Heart has successfully raised more than $600,000 to support our programs and impacted the lives of countless individuals.

The night began with a lively cocktail hour. Guests mingled over wine and hors d’oeuvres while perusing raffle prizes and pieces of artwork, made by participants of the Adult Day program. To commemorate the 10th anniversary Open Your Heart event, 37 talented adult participants designed and painted colorful ceramic plates. Following the cocktail hour, guests transitioned into the dining room for a seated three-course dinner of surf, turf and Eddie Merlot’s signature red velvet cake for dessert.

During the dinner, Executive Director Chris Adams led a brief program thanking sponsors, guests and volunteers for their continued support. Then, Board of Trustee Jim Shanahan launched a spirited campership drive that raised funds to send children and teens to Stepping Stones’ popular day camp this summer.